CAPE COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cape Town's Suidoosterfees 2026: A celebration of arts and community

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
Ilse Carol performs in Gat, the award-winning dance-driven production by Garage Dance Ensemble, at the Castle of Good Hope as part of the Suidoosterfees 2026 at the weekend, April 30 until Sunday, May 3.
Ilse Carol performs in Gat, the award-winning dance-driven production by Garage Dance Ensemble, at the Castle of Good Hope as part of the Suidoosterfees 2026 at the weekend, April 30 until Sunday, May 3. Picture: AB Jantjies

The Artscape Theatre Centre was a hive of activity from Wednesday, April 29, until Sunday, May 3, with the Suidoosterfees 2026.

Festivalgoers streamed to the Artscape and venues across the city for a mix of theatre, music, comedy, visual art, and conversations.

This year's theme was "Home", which aimed to celebrate a sense of belonging, shared stories, and the many ways in which the arts bring people together.

Last week, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis lauded the festival, celebrating the arts as a vital vehicle for social cohesion and job creation ("Suidoosterfees returns to Artscape with the heartfelt theme of 'Home'", Atlantic Sun Friday, April 24).

Pictured seated in the middle is the cultural affairs and sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, with members of the Suidoosterfees board and festival sponsors at Suidoosterfees 2026, celebrating the partnerships that help make the festival possible.
Pictured seated in the middle is the cultural affairs and sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, with members of the Suidoosterfees board and festival sponsors at Suidoosterfees 2026, celebrating the partnerships that help make the festival possible. Picture: AB Jantjies

Festival chief executive officer Jana Hattingh said that ticket sales had surpassed last year’s figures, confirming the growing appeal of the festival’s diverse and accessible programme.

Highlights of the lineup included the musical celebration of Cape Town, No Place Like Home, featuring Loukmaan Adams and Jody Abrahams, and the drama Eugene, based on Kirby van der Merwe’s acclaimed novel.

The Short and Sweet series offered a bold new 30-minute theatre for just R50, and the powerful dance production Gat, at the historic Castle of Good Hope.

Asha Petersen, from Loreto Primary School, in Strand, at the Suidoosterfees.
Asha Petersen, from Loreto Primary School, in Strand, at the Suidoosterfees. Picture: AB Jantjies

At the opening concert of Hope on Wednesday, April 29, acting mayor Eddie Andrews said that for 23 years, the Suidoosterfees had cemented its place as a crucial platform for promoting creativity and contributing significantly to Cape Town’s economy.

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